Passengers on board the plane reportedly heard several loud bangs and saw sparks coming from one of the aircraft’s engines.
An Aer Lingus flight due to arrive in Dublin on Christmas Eve morning from New York was forced to turn around due to a “technical issue”, the airline has said.
RTÉ News reports that Flight EI106 made the u-turn after only shortly being in the air and that passengers on board the plane are claiming to have heard several loud bangs and seen sparks coming from one of the aircraft’s engines.
The airline has since apologised to its customers affected and said it is working to re-accommodate them with alternative flight arrangements.
“Aer Lingus confirmed that flight EI106 from JFK to Dublin yesterday evening was cancelled due to a technical issue with the aircraft,” it said in a statement to JOE.
“The safety of all customers is the first priority at Aer Lingus and the cancellation had to be implemented for that reason.
“Aer Lingus teams are currently working to re-accommodate all passengers with alternative flight arrangements and are endeavouring to ensure all customers depart New York by the evening of 25 December.
“The majority of passengers have had their alternative flight arrangements confirmed to them and we are working through the remainder to ensure everyone has certainty on re-accommodation arrangements.”
Aer Lingus also said it is working to book hotel accommodation for passengers affected who need to stay overnight in New York before departing.
“We sincerely apologise for this disruption to customers’ Christmas travel plans and we aim to have them arrive at their destination as soon as possible,” it added.
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